Meeting Brent's Class
Trip Start
Apr 10, 2012
1
10
17
Trip End
Apr 25, 2012
Aizuwakamatsu, Tohoku, Japan
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
From my notes:
Asushima -- said his name meant "very gentleman" He is a retired educator (Jr high teacher and principal), widowed, and has spent the past three years studying human relations. He writes essays for Brent to read each week. Susan and I read a couple on "Does gas prices affect consumer behavior?" and "Two Thatchers: Margaret and Meryl." They were very good.
Naoju -- related his name to a famous baseball player. Loves to use idioms. Described himself as "no spring chicken." He loves to travel and visit the hot springs. He said this class "brings him back to life" and he holds it in high esteem. When asked about his previous vocation. He said he began his career delivering newspapers -- as a boy. He lasted three days, then retired. He worked as a tax auditor for the city's education and water departments.
Takako - Obviously suffering with her sinuses, she said this is the best season to be in Japan but she is fighting hay fever. Very articulate, she said she majored in American and English literature and worked for the Siemens corporation before marrying and coming back to Aizu. She now volunteers teaching Japanese at the International Center and is studying calligraphy at a cultural center.
Yoko -- didn't tell us about herself, but immediately asked Susan about her worry for Brent with the nuclear disaster and what advice she gave him before leaving for Japan. Susan's answer (where ever you are in the world, you will be in my heart and you can always come home) brought her to tears. We later learned from the others that Yoko is 90 years old and is very wealthy. Her husband is a doctor and she owns two apartment buildings in town.
Myoko -- a small, spritely woman of perhaps 65-70 was an assistant teacher and now works part-time as a supermarket cashier. She always tries to be off so that she can come to this class. She said had visited Tuscon, Canada, and Mexico. Those were the best days of her life.
Machiko 1 -- described herself as a housewife, with a daughter living in Tokyo. She loves gardening and this class. After college, she worked in a bank five years, then helped in her mother's pharmacy before marrying and becoming a housewife.
Machiko 2 -- described herself as this class' boss...she is obviously a leader. She wore a beautiful kimono and gave us a hand-sewn book cover. She worked for Fujitsu 21 years, then owned a snack bar for two years. (A snack bar is for men only. They buy drinks and pay for the company of women who work in them.)
I loved meeting these people! I admire them for wanting to continue to learn at this stage in their lives. They were most gracious, asked questions about our impressions of Japan, and thanked us for coming to their class. They all said Brent is a very kind and good teacher.
